MACV NEWSLETTER - March 2020
New MACV Transitional Home
On March 6th, community partners along with MACV held a ribbon cutting cermony to celebrate our newest transitonal home located at 9416 Penn Avenue South in Bloomington.

This brand new four bedroom, three bathroom home will be occupied by a Veteran family or four single Veterans receiving services from MACV.

Housing First Minnesota partnered with builder Lennar and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). This is the third Housing for Heroes project they’ve completed together.

Homeless Veterans Outreach
MACV's Ramsey-SMAC County Regional Team Leader, Corey Bardon and Ramsey County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) Outreach/Engagement Worker, Chris Hvinden conduct weekly street outreach efforts to identify and build relationships with the most vulnerable Veterans on our streets today. While you may think that every homeless veteran will be thrilled by an offer of housing, it can actually take time to build trust and alleviate the fears many of them have about sharing their personal information or following the rules that may come with being housed. 

Street outreach efforts are critical in connecting Veterans experiencing unsheltered homelessness to housing them directly from the streets . Along with the help and support of community partners, this is one key step in our process here at MACV as we work to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.
Partner Spotlight
Twin Cities Military and Veterans Exchange
The Minnesota Military & Veterans Exchange (MNme) is a coalition and community with one simple goal: to create a rallying point for all things related to creating healthier military and prior service communities. We raise awareness of the existing supportive community and strengthen the connections military, prior service members, their families and caregivers have to that community.

Men and women from every military branch form a community bonded by their commitment to serve. Having served, these individuals often find themselves grappling with a vast array of unique circumstances. Unfortunately, there is no one-size approach the community can take to address these situations. Instead, we must come together to create a network, a consolidated hub of communication. MNme is that hub.

Homeless Day on the Hill 2020
On March 11th, members of the MACV team joined community leaders, along withover 900 individuals and advocates this past week at the state captial to share their stories and talk with the lawmakers about the need for more safe and affordable housing across the state.

In 2020, the priorities include expanding emergency shelter beds to ensure no one has to sleep outside, investing in programs that cultivate long-term stability, and guaranteeing everyone in our community has a permanent place to call home.

Upcoming Events
METRO REGION

Minneapolis Legal Clinic
Tuesday, Apr 14 | 9am - 2pm

Veterans Day on Hill
Monday, Apr 20th - 10am
NORTHERN REGION

St Cloud Legal Clinic
Tuesday, Apr 28 | 10am - 3pm

SOUTHERN REGION

Mankato Legal Clinic
Tuesday, May 5 | 10am - 3pm

MTU Employee Donation Drive
Mankato employees shared the love this Valentine’s Day with a silent auction to benefit the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). From Feb 10-12, employees were encouraged to bring in theme baskets to be auctioned off as part of the fundraiser. The baskets could be filled with such holiday favorites as flowers, plants, chocolates and teddy bears. On February 13, the bidding took place with the highest bidder for each basket getting to take it home. Thanks to the generosity of MTU Onsite Energy Mankato employees, a total of $505 was raised to support this great cause. 

The check was presented by MTU employee Dan Zihlke to Sadie Rezac, MACV Southern Regional Leader. Special thanks to Mandy Pokahi, Marcy Williams ad Barb Meist for coordinating this great event.
Thank you to donors last month
Gifts over $5,000
Central Roofing
Northland Foundation
Unison Comfort Technologies
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon of Chaska
Fredrikson & Byron Foundation

Gifts over $1,000
Richard Huckle Household
Prudential AP
Corporate Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Campaign
Stinson LLP
Corporate Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Campaign
Fenstermaker Household
Tim Schultz Household
Robins Kaplan LLP
Gifts over $100
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Benevity Community Impact Fund
3M Foundation
AMVETS Post 12
VFW Auxiliary Post 0363
VFW Post 494
Combined Federal Campaign (CFCNCA)
MTU Onsite Energy, A Rolls-Royce Solution
Integrity Holdings Real Estate
Knights Of Columbus Council 6783 St. Lawrence
VFW Post No. 4847
Ronald & Debra Schultz Household
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 0112
JustGive
Knights of Columbus 4967
H.B. Hayden Household
Hammer Household
Joan Campbell Household
Steve Lewis Household
Fleet Reserve Association Viking Branch 136
Mankato Elks Club Inc.
You Can Help End Veteran Homelessness
Each year MACV will provide over 5,000 unique assistance actions for Veterans and their families. 
You can help us find a home for every Veteran family in need - Donate Now